Raila: I Only Want President Uhuru's Vote, Not His Endorsement

ODM leader Raila Odinga has given another clear indication that he will run for president in 2022.

Speaking during an interview on Radio Citizen on Thursday, Odinga stated that he does not require President Kenyatta’s backing to win next year’s presidential election.

Odinga dismissed claims that he is seeking Kenyatta’s endorsement, saying the only favor he requires from the president is his vote.

“I do not need anyone’s endorsement. I’m not after President Uhuru’s endorsement. I only want his vote,” Odinga remarked.

He also responded to Deputy President William Ruto’s recent claims that he helped him rise to the position of Prime Minister following the disputed 2007 presidential election. Odinga stated that Ruto never helped him as much as he claims.

“When we went to Kasarani, it was a hunt and we got our prey, I emerged first, and Mudavadi came second, and he [Ruto] came third. Mudavadi became the deputy prime minister while he [Ruto] then became the Agriculture minister, holding the biggest portfolio from our side,“ said Raila.

“We were a team, he never gave me any money, he did not help me, he cannot say he played better than say, Farah Maalim, Joe Nyaga, or Joho,” he added.

On his push for constitutional amendments, Odinga said the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) journey is still on course.

“We can still do a referendum and the polls, other countries have even two referendums in a year, we still have a year so there is still time,” he added.